Officials from the Independent Evaluation Department (IEvD) of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) paid a courtesy visit to the National Roads Authority (NRA) on Monday, 15 June 2026, as part of their mission to assess and evaluate IsDB-funded operations in The Gambia.

The NRA serves as the implementing agency responsible for executing government road infrastructure projects financed by both the Government of The Gambia and development partners, including the IsDB.

Speaking during the meeting, the Managing Director of the NRA, Sulayman Sumareh Janneh, highlighted the significant contribution of IsDB-funded road infrastructure projects to the country’s development agenda.

He described the IsDB as a key development partner whose support has been instrumental in transforming The Gambia’s infrastructure landscape.

“The Bank has played a vital role in many of the developments we see in the country today. The Gambia is currently at a critical and transformative stage of infrastructure development, and we are on a trajectory to become one of the fastest-developing countries in West Africa,” he said.

Mr. Janneh expressed appreciation for the Bank’s continued support, noting that landmark projects such as the Bertil Harding Highway have become a point of reference for visitors and development practitioners from across the region.

“Today, people come from different parts of the world to see the Bertil Harding Highway. This achievement would not have been possible without the support of the IsDB. We are grateful for the partnership and look forward to strengthening our collaboration in the years ahead,” he added.

Speaking on behalf of the visiting delegation, Amin Yusuf Abdullahi, Manager for Corporate, Country and Thematic Evaluation at the IsDB’s Independent Evaluation Department, explained that the IEvD is an independent and specialised organ responsible for planning, designing and conducting evaluations of IsDB-funded operations in accordance with internationally recognised evaluation principles.

He noted that the department’s primary mandate is to independently assess the Bank’s financed projects and programmes to ensure that intended development results are achieved.

“In addition to project evaluations, we also undertake country-level, thematic and sector evaluations. Our overarching objective is to ensure accountability for results and to determine whether projects deliver on the commitments made to our member countries,” he said.

Mr. Abdullahi further emphasised the importance of learning from past experiences to improve future interventions.

“Our role is not only to assess whether expected results have been achieved, but also to identify what worked well, what challenges were encountered, and what lessons can be applied to improve future projects and development outcomes,” he stated.

The visit provided an opportunity for both institutions to exchange views on the implementation and impact of IsDB-funded road projects, while reaffirming their shared commitment to supporting sustainable infrastructure development in The Gambia.